2025 EAST FINALS: (3) New York Knicks Vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

I don't believe in humans being unable to change, he can no doubt but it takes time.

 

You know what? I wished our own Jalen Green showed more emotions in a game. Dude is too stoic out there. Some players play better when they are ticked, and Jalen should have been pissed the way Drammond Green was fouling him. I saw no emotion or reaction from Jalen. Very disappointing.

 

"after all that"

 

Is this the best series in the last 5 years? I’d say it definitely has the drama and history. Every game feels like no lead is safe, can go both ways, just haven’t seen enough physicality and some serious hard fouls to make it feel like a play-offs series should. The rest it all has so far.

 

I think the winner of this game wins the series, because either Indiana going up 3-1 or NY regaining home court will be insurmountable.

The Pacers lead all NBA teams in postseason offensive efficiency and pace, knocking down ~50% of their field goals and ~40% from long range. Herein lies a game 3 issue: 44% overall shooting and 5-15 from 3, 20%, in a game decided in the last minute. Indiana lacked an offensive flow in the entire 2nd half, playing slower and scoring only 42 points over the last 24 min. Coupled with the KAT explosion in the 4th quarter, matador D by Myles Turner, and uncharacteristically poor FT shooting, this overall scenario wasn’t survivable.

Yes, you could say the Pacers choked, given how they played in the first half (though the 3s didn't fall then, either).

“I thought we just didn’t do a good job of continuing to play fast,” Tyrese Haliburton said. “I thought I did a poor job of really keeping pace in the game, especially in the fourth there…We’ll see what we can do better there and we’ll improve on it.”

A major issue to watch is Aaron Nesmith’s ankle injury, a gametime decision. All throughout the regular season the Pacers got very strong production from Benedict Mathurin (16.1 ppg on the season!), including the ~2 months where Nesmith was out with a previous serious ankle injury. In fact, there was active debate in Pacers circles as to whether Mathurin should START, being the best half court shot creator (or maybe only after Siakam) in the rotation. He even became a solid defender.

Mathurin has been absolutely awful, though, vs. NY in this series (<4 ppg on 40% shooting) and has been passed in the rotation by Ben Sheppard, who is a good defender but limited on offense (basically a shot up corner 3-and-D guy). It will be interesting to see what happens if Nesmith can’t go. Does Mathurin get an opportunity to redeem himself? It is not an appealing scenario given recent production. Can Haliburton and Turner pick up the slack? Does Toppin play more?

Indiana has not lost back-to-back games since March 8th and has been very resilient after poor performances. If the game is played fast, they shoot at or near their average from 3, and the score ends up like 120-115, they likely win. 105-100? Probably not.

 

In a way, Mathurin is the biggest story in this series. What do you think his problem is? It isn't as if the Knicks defense is great.

 

He's a two-face. Sometimes he looks great. Other times, his game is flat-out ugly.

 

Sounds familiar.

 

He is a hot head / head case and the refs started looking at his every move in the Cavs series after some chippiness and mouthing off. It seems to have gotten into his head. He did also have a minor injury vs. the Bucks or Cavs (kicked in the groin, IIRC) but I don't THINK he's injured.

His game is more iso than open court cutting and passing, so he doesn't necessarily fit well with Carlisle's preferred offense. Having a half court iso player isn't a bad thing, though, for situations like being late in the clock and especially with the 2nd unit.

If he were to give them just his regular season average tonight, somehow (16 ppg) I think the Pacers could roll the Knicks

 

To follow up on that, in the regular season vs. the Knicks they weren't doing much to stop him:

On Nov 10 vs NY, Mathurin scored a career-high 38 points with 7 made 3-pointers. https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401704769

On Oct 25 vs NY, he scored 20 in 24 min: https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401704647

On Feb 11 vs NY, he scored 18 in 31 min: https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401705331

Bizarre that he's shrinking now.

 

Nesmith is reportedly available to play tonight.

Expected, since he is one tough dude. But hopefully he is effective, since he needs to be either option 1A or 1B (with Nembhard) in guarding Brunson.

 

Lady catching bowls on a unicycle is half time show material for the conference finals? Who is she jerking off at the NBA for real? I've seen her at all kinds of arenas doing this same weird **** lmao.

 

wtf are you talking about? who?

 

spicy game.

 

lessgoo nuyork, bring in hoodie melo!

 

Pacers, now show me some guts and maturity in the 4th quarter by closing out this game at home against a team you should beat.

 

Halliburton might be the best point guard in the league. Hate is such a terrible thing… can’t believe they voted this guy most overrated player in the NBA ..smh

 

The Pacers are so committed to running. It gives them an advantage on almost every play.